'Game of Thrones' execs 'not worried about upsetting fans'

Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and DB Weiss have claimed that they do not worry about upsetting fans.

In a joint interview with Deadline, the pair insisted that they are "more concerned with making a good show" than satisfying fans of George RR Martin's original novels.

"As far as pressure goes, we put our careers on the line with this series," they said. "After nearly six years invested, if the show had failed we would have thrown away a hefty portion of our working lives."

Benioff and Weiss also suggested that Game of Thrones appeals to viewers who were not previously interested in fantasy.

"You meet and hear about people who haven't engaged with the genre in the past who love the show," they said. "That is hugely gratifying."

Asked to pitch the HBO drama's upcoming second season, they quipped: "More characters. More locations. More dragons. Less sleep. Less Ned. Less frequent bowel movements."